The San Francisco Giants, including Tim Lincecum and Pablo Sandoval, waited on the tarmac at a Cincinnati airport, their NLCS destination unknown. / Photo via @KFP48

by Gabe Lacques, USA TODAY Sports

by Gabe Lacques, USA TODAY Sports

The San Francisco Giants found out their National League Championship Series opponent in the oddest of places: On the tarmac of a Cincinnati-area airport.

All set to fly east when the Washington Nationals took a six-run lead over the St. Louis Cardinals, the Giants got the most pleasant of surprises when the Cardinals came all the way back and, with a four-run ninth inning, eliminated the Nationals with a stunning 9-7 victory.